Nutrient Management: Nitrogen

Nebraska Extension has many tools and resources for interpreting soil tests. Most of the materials do not focus on one nutrient, but discuss all the nutrients related to a specific crop.

One regional publication focuses on nitrogen specifically:

Agricultural Nitrogen Management for Water Quality Protection in the Midwest: a Heartland Regional Water Coordination Initiative Publication RP189; PDF* ( 1.85 MB; 32 pages)

Our complete nutrient management guide explains each nutrient and gives recommendations for each crop:
Nutrient Management for Agronomic Crops in Nebraska Extension Circular 155
A guide to nutrient use from all sources for the production of Nebraska's major agronomic crops. Content in this 176-page book is divided into two main areas: the basic principles of soil fertility for the primary, secondary and micronutrients and fertilizer recommendations for individual crops. View the table of contents to this guide on-line* or order the softcover book. Cost is $12.

NebGuides for each of the major crops:


Fertilizing Winter Wheat EC 143* (890KB; 10 pages)
Soil testing, recommended rates, and timing for fertilizing winter wheat with nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients.

Fertilizer Management for Alfalfa* G1598
NebGuide discusses adequate soil fertility in alfalfa production on dryland and irrigated soils.
PDF only (225 KB; 4 pages)

Fertilizer Management for Dry Edible Beans G1713
Soil sampling and proper nitrogen fertilization of dry beans will help producers obtain consistent top yields. 
PDF version (1.05 MB; 3 pages)

Fertilizer Suggestions For Corn  EC117* (632KB; 6 pages)
Fertilizer nutrient requirements for corn are based on expected yield and nutrient levels in the soil.

Fertilizer Suggestions for Grain Sorghum G1669
Fertilizer nutrient needs for grain sorghum are based on expected yield, nutrient levels in the soil and fertilizer-nitrogen costs.
PDF version (592 KB; 4 pages)

Fertilizing Sugarbeet,* Chptr. 8 from the Sugar Beet Production Guide, EC 156 (536 KB; 6pages)
Soil testing and calculating recommended rates for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrient fertilizers for sugarbeet.

*Document in pdf format. Download the free Acrobat Reader.